You have undoubtedly caught yourself speeding occasionally, even if you are only going five miles over the speed limit. That is a common infraction.
Unfortunately, speeding often leads to fender benders, and more serious collisions as well. However, even if speeding does not result in an accident, you will face significant consequences if a law enforcement officer arrests you for excessively exceeding the speed limit in Minnesota.
The bigger picture
According to data provided by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, speeding is a factor in 27 percent of all fatal highway crashes across the nation. Therefore, the law classifies speeding as a type of aggressive behavior.
Driving faster than the speed limit is not the only form of speeding. Law enforcement could also arrest you if an officer determines that your speed is dangerous because of road conditions, such as icy streets, heavy traffic or areas of road construction.
The penalties
The penalties for excessive speed vary depending on the circumstances. Fines are just the beginning. You might also face the suspension of your driver’s license for at least 30 days, or even revocation if alcohol or drugs is involved, or you are in an accident involving bodily harm. In some cases, prosecutors may seek jail time, and a judge may determine that a sentence is reasonable.
The insurance issues
As if the penalties are not enough to worry about, including the fees, there is also the matter of your auto insurance, including what will probably be a significant increase in premiums. In fact, your carrier may cancel your policy altogether. Remember that if one of your penalties is revocation of your driver’s license, you will need to show proof of insurance to get it back, so you may have to shop for a new insurance agency.
